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Category: inspiration

My Top 5 Essential Work Out Songs | QueenBeady
Most of you know that I am now in the midst of a ”get fit” campaign to fight the mounting excess bulge that has appeared over the last six months. I’ve always found it really hard to motivate myself at the gym. Mainly because I dread the post-gym sweat. But, I’ve been working on ways to get myself pumped & ready to go hard and faster and I’ve worked out what it is that helps me get through my work out. Music. It’s no evolutionary matter but for me it really is. As soon as I put my earphones in I am ready to go for it for the next hour. So what are my top 5 essential songs?
1. Years & Years – Real
I adore this electro-indie trio that just seems to be making waves in the music industry. After winning the BBC Sound of Music 2015 award I have really kept my eye on these guys. It’s just a really, feel good tune that makes me sing along, great for your first work out!
1. Ella Eyre – Comeback
Ever since I saw ”The Lioness” at a gig in Leeds last year I have been totally mesmerised by her! Her voice is top $$ – those pipes are enviable. This song is a real angry song that makes your heart beat faster and work harder. I tend to listen to this one when I’m on the exercise bike!
1. Neon Jungle – Braveheart
This is about the only song that I have heard by these women but the dirty baseline is a real get up & go song too. This is what I put on when I want to push myself on the Stepper/Crosstrainer, I seem to burn so many more calories when I listen to this so it’s a definite must. Albeit I am shattered once I come off.
1. Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne – Real Love
After we saw Clean Bandit at Leeds Fest last year I just love them I listen, especially when the collab with the fabulous, raven haired Jess Glynne! This one is great for the Rowing Machine. The beat is great to keep the momentum going.

5. Flight Facilities – Down to Earth

This one is for the cool-down. It’s a really good tune that I downloaded for free on iTunes and have it on repeat. I tend to listen to this one when I’m doing a steady, inclined pace on the Running Machine. If it’s free download it, even if it isn’t, download it.

It’d be great to hear some song suggestions from you guys too! Let me know what keeps you motivated at the gym.

Rebecca xxx

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January 28, 2015
Keeping it Casual | QueenBeady

Jacket Topshop | Shirt River Island | Cami Primark | Jeans Topshop |
Boots C/O Online Avenue

Today called for a super casual, dress down day. I had nothing particularly exciting to do today other than cleaning the house. Terribly boring & teribbly house-wifey but these things just have to be done. The sun has been shining gloriously today, a very different story from last Wednesday when the predicted snow finally arrived in Yorkshire. I was left freezing my little tootsies off, dreaming of my cosy duvet, Netflix & hot cocoa. I’ve been wanting a pair of flat, riding style boots for some time whilst the weather is still a little cooler & Online Avenue answered my prayers with this gorgeous quilted pair. Perfect for those days where you just want to throw something on! It’s all about the layering for January & February, until the days start warming up I am going be wearing thick layers to stay nice & warm to keep the sniffles at bay! How are you spending your weekend?

Rebecca xxx

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January 24, 2015
Date Night with Vue Cinema | QueenBeady

I don’t know about you, but every now & then I like to have my husband all to myself. No dogs, no friends & no in-laws in tow. Thanks to Vue Cinema who kindly gifted us some tickets to watch a film of our choice I was going to get that night with my husband (oh, and maybe Liam Neeson too?)

In true cinema style we headed to Frankie & Benny’s to fill our tummy’s with some scrumptious food beforehand. It’s something of a ritual that we must go to one of those big food chains and pig out on as much food as you can so you can then sit in a food coma during the film.On arrival it was a little busy so I ordered my favuourite cocktail, a ”Woo Woo.” It had to be one of the best versions that I have ever tried, full points to F&B’s for an awesome cocktail & James had a Stella to clear away the cobwebs. After being seated in our little booth Icouldn’t help but find myself singing/humming along to the American Italian music that was filling the air. The atmosphere at Frankie & Benny’s is second to none, especially when the Birthday Boy or Girl has to stand on the chair and have a resounding chorus of ”Happy Birthday” sang to them.

As I perused the menu I just could not decide what to have, everything sounded too tasty! I finally decided upon Garlic & Cheese mushrooms for my starter & the New Jersey Chicken for my main course. Both of which were spot on. The New Jersey Chicken isa whole fresh chicken breast topped with crispy bacon and pulled pork, smothered in their famous BBQ and jalapeño cheese sauces. Served with spicy onion rings, corn on the cob, coleslaw & fries. James had the meatball starter & the Black Pepper Mayo burger, which he struggled with mainly because of the bread but he said it was delicious all the same! Service was a little slow but it was a Saturday night & truth be told we were happy just taking our time as we were a little early for the film. So of course desert was needed & we opted for the decadent Peanut Butter Cheesecake with peanut butter ice-cream. I am sure some of you saw the photos on Instagram & it really did taste as good as it looked. Thankfully Mr C & I shared as it was a masterpiece but very sweet!

Now, Mr C & I bickered all day about what film to go see. He wanted to see Taken 3 & I wanted to see Theory of Everything. Of course, he bloody won but on the contraire he picked up the tab at F&B’s so I will let him have this one, this time! And you know what, I’m pretty glad we did go see it as it was so fast paced & action packed I did not want to move my eyes from the screen. For those who don’t know what Taken 3 is all about have a little read here! After being assigned seats closer to the back (I didn’t know you couldn’t sit where you liked anymore with Vue. This was a bit of a pooper as it felt like everyone was sat on each others knee’s!) I got comfy in my corner & then I slowly gauged my way through a large popcorn, which is a must when you go to the cinema right? The thrill of the film was just too much to bear, (spoiler alert coming!) was Liam Neeson going to catch who killed his ex-wife? Who was going to get there ass royally kicked next? You just didn’t know. Even though it was a later screening it was jam-packed with Taken die-hard fans who ”Oh’ed” & gasped in the right places.

It was pretty late when we got out of the cinema & terribly icy, after a debate of whether or not we should meet some friends at the pub we decided against it & headed home. We’d had a lovely evening & it was time to get in our PJ’s and get ready for a nice, lazy Sunday!

Have you been to the Cinema recently? What did you go see? Let me know your suggestions for next time!

Rebecca xxx

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January 23, 2015
A 90’s Monochrome Look | QueenBeady

Jacket Cardigan Topshop | Top Primark | Skirt Primark | Knee High Boots New Look

I don’t know what it is about the 90’s vibe that we all love? The re-introduction of Clueless (thanks to Iggy’s ”I’m so fancy” summer hit) has reignited that love/hate relationship with all the tackiness that comes with the era of boy bands, inflatable chairs, lava lamps and any other aptly 90’s themed item you can think of. But I do know that I love the monochrome look, it’s at the forefront of fashion at the moment but I’m seeing it in a really ”androgynous” style too. I thought it was time to put a playful twist on it! My pleather skirt from Primark was a steal in the sales just before Christmas at a mere £3 even if I wore it once it was still going to have been worth it. The stripes are everywhere, I just love how typically Parisian it is – even my Mum comments on how much I wear stripes. Is it time to stop wearing them? Nah, I didn’t think so! This cardi/jacket is something I can’t live without, I picked this up on eBay & I constantly lean to it when I want a light jacket that isn’t too formal but not too casual! The boucle pattern is what does it for me I think. Have you got any classic ”decade” outfits that you go for? I see the 1970’s style is making a revival too, so get those bell bottoms out quick!

Rebecca xxx

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January 22, 2015
Be the Boss | QueenBeady

Do you ever have those moments where you just sit there & think “boy, I love my life” kinda times? I seem to going through one of those phases & I so desperately hope that it doesn’t end any time soon.

I spent a lot of time wallowing in self-pity after the wedding last year. I comfort ate, I never exercised so I just ballooned in weight. All that hard work for the wedding was in tatters. Sadly, I’m one of those types of people who never stick anything out. You know the type, the ones who jump on a bandwagon do it twice, maybe three times & then become bored so just give up. Whatever it was becomes a distant memory.

I’ve been determined to keep being positive in 2015. It was one of those so-called “resolutions” that we all make on New Years. So far, so good. Okay, I’m not immune to an odd moan from time to time but generally I feel it am a happier person.

So, what’s making you keep to your promise I hear you all ask? Well I will tell you if you really are keen to know.

At 25 I still haven’t passed my driving test. I am a sad, sorry state of affairs that relies on public transport (sob!) or the taxi of Mr C. Whilst it’s great to be driven around like a lady of leisure I most certainly don’t feel like one. So, after the kind donation of my Nana’s salmon pink corsa (she’s called Mavis don’t you know, so for the purposes of this post you will know who, sorry, what I am referring to!) So, on Sunday Mavis got her first test drive on the open road. No, not just on private land, an actual road with other passing cars tooting along next to me. I can’t tell you how wonderfully frightening it was but I got the taste of freedom (albeit Mr C was in the passenger seat keeping a mindful eye on matters.) I can’t believe, in fact, I hate to believe that I have gone so many years without driving. So, it is now my duty to make sure I pass my test this year & be my person without having to to rely on terrible timetables or my husbands schedule.

Secondly, we
have finally joined a gym. For a mere £25 a month I can swim and gym to my heart’s content. And it’s not just me doing it, Mr C is coming along for the ride too (hey, you see what I did there right?) After being told by the doctors that in order for his back to get better he must swim & gym up to three times a week. Whilst he drives me nuts with his “Come on get a jog on” comments and the “you go first & I will follow” orders, secretly I am super happy that he’s joining me. It means we can both get fit together & it gets us out of the house too. In the meantime I am dropping the lbs (or at least I hope I am!) to a newer, slimmer & more toned me. I can’t wait to see my results in the next few weeks!

Thirdly, I’m just enjoying life. The things I previously disliked would not have even been sniffed at, but now I am learning to just accept things. Those who know me or know of my rambling “about me” I proclaim to dislike cats. Well, for Xmas the father in law bought mother in law a kitty cat much to her delight (& to my horror!) after weeks of squirming when it came near me or tried to touch me I decided to finally pluck up the courage to stroke her. And in return I got a nice little lick on my finger and then a playful claw to it. I exclaimed “You little shit!” I smiled and it actually hugged my arm. According to my mother in law I’m the only person she comes to. So maybe this cat-hating devil lady (yes, that is me) may have thawed over & decided that she may have a little hole in her life that can be filled with some kitty love….

Life is kinda funny right? I have read some truly beautiful posts recently from Megan at Wonderful–You and it made my heart bleed, but all the same empowering. Accepting things in life sounds like a cowards way out but in truth, it’s accepting it & how we deal with circumstances that slowly makes us a better person. I’ve finally come to realise that. I’m a twenty-five year old woman (yes, a woman) and try as I might I have carved my own little life for myself, there is no point trying to change things drastically. Just be a better person, doing things that make you happy with you & who you actually are! I’m finally taking back some of my self-worth & I’m on that path to ”Be the Boss” of my happiness.

Rebecca xxx

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January 20, 2015